Olivia Rose

Olivia Rose

8/7/2012

7lbs. 5 oz.

19 in.

 

On August 7, 2012, welcomed our 2nd child, Olivia Rose, to our family. I had a scheduled c-section at 2pm. I was 39 weeks pregnant.  We checked into the hospital at 11am, and I had my parents watch B for us. Around 12:30, they brought B to the hospital, since she was fighting a nap at home.

My parents, Michelle, and Kris all came to visit before the surgery.  At 2:00pm, they began the surgery.  They had Jeff wait in the room, while I was in the OR getting the epidural.  I wish he was there with me.  I started getting very emotional, because he wasn't in there with me.  Once he arrived, I began crying.  I can't really explain why.....I was scared, excited, anxious....a little bit of every emotion.  The anesthesiologist was great and calmed me down and got my mind off the surgery aspect.  It all happened very quickly.  I remember them pushing on me a lot, and then they asked Jeff to get his camera ready.....which wasn't quite ready....LOL!  At 2:32pm, I heard Olivia cry, and I knew everything was OK.  Once I actually got to see her sweet face, I fell in love, and began crying again.  I felt so thankful that she was healthy and everything went so well.

They allowed Jeff to take lots of pics and even allowed him to cut the umbilical cord, after the doctors did the initial cut.  The nurses even took some great pics for us.

We went back to our room with our new baby girl, and spent a little bit of time together.  I tried nursing her and she immediately latched on great!  That's my girl!  Soon after, I was ready to see our families.  My parents came in with Brynley, as well as my sisters and Nancy.  Brynley wasn't really sure what to think about Olivia.  She knew she was a baby, but didn't really understand much more.  We then got settled into our new room and we also saw Jennifer, Kris and Mike as well.  Later that evening, Jerry came to meet Olivia too. I was thankful Cassidy Ortleb was with Wendy, because she helped watch B a lot during the surgery. 

After all the visitors left, we rested and spent time with Olivia.  She received her 1st bath around 8:30pm, that evening.  Jeff got to take pics.  I remembered how good the hospital food was, but quickly remembered that I wasn't allowed solid food until the next day....BOO!  That evening, Jeff slept on the couch.  Most of the night, I held Olivia.  She actually slept  a lot.  That first night was tough though, because so many nurses are coming and going checking on you.  I didn't get much sleep at all.  The nurses were helpful and would always change Olivia's diaper for me, since I couldn't get out of bed/ move yet. 

The next morning, I was eager to order breakfast!   The Olympics were going on in London while we were in the hospital, so I was able to watch a lot of the footage while we were in the hospital.  I was pretty tired to so I did rest a lot this day.  Wendy came to visit us during her lunch break, and it was nice seeing her.  My day nurse on day 2, was AMAZING!  Her name was La.  She was so helpful and patient.  My pain level really started to set in on this day.  She asked if I was ready to have the epidural taken out, which also meant I could have my catheter taken out as well.  By having all of this taken out, I couldn't then walk around.  The sooner I was up and moving, the sooner I could get home. La helped me stand and everything that first time.  She was SOOO great!  Later that evening, she also helped me shower, which was so refreshing, but extremely painful. 

After the hospital's "nap" time (1-4pm), Kris brought Brynley up to the hospital.  My parents came to meet her and switch off, as they were watching her the next 2 days for us.  Brynley got to sit with mommy and see Olivia.  She still wasn't so sure about her.  It was great to see B; I really missed her.  Jeff took her down to a play area to spend some time with her.  That evening, Michelle and Will came to visit, as well as Jennifer and John.  Jeff went home for a couple hours that night to shower and rest.  This night was pretty tough on me.....Jeff slept all night and didn't ever really wake up, except one time to pick up Olivia for me.  It was still VERY hard to move around, so I just held Olivia all night and slept with her in my arms.  If I knew she needed a diaper change, I would wait until a nurse came in to help change her since I still couldn't get up with out a lot of help.

The 3rd day, the pain was starting to subside a little.  Lesley came to visit this day.  She was so sweet and brought the girls each a blanket.  My parents also came to bring Brynley to visit us. Later that evening, all the Rosenfelds came to visit.  Mike took the kids to "Build-A-Bear", and the kids picked out a monkey for Olivia.  They named her Mr. Cuddles.  They are so sweet!  That evening, Jeff left again late that evening, and actually just stayed at home for the night.  I figured he wasn't really needed to help me, since I was depending on the nurses a lot to help, plus, I was able to move a little bit better on my own.  He was very uncomfortable, plus I wanted him to check on the house and Sadie.  I asked the baby's nurse, if Olivia could stay in the nursery for one 3 hour period so I could get some solid sleep.  It actually ended up being a 4 hour stretch of sleep....which was so nice!

On our 4th day (Friday), we knew we were able to leave this day around 11:00am.  We just had to wait and see all of the doctors to be released.  We got home around noon, and my parents brought Brynley to meet us at our house.  They also brought us food!  It was hard getting B down for a nap.  We eventually got all settled in and started to get into a routine.  Olivia actually slept fairly well the first two nights- more than 3 hour stretches.  Soon after the first 2 nights, she began getting up every 3 hours.

The next day, Saturday, we had lots of visitors.  My entire family and Jennifer and John came to visit.  It was fun seeing everyone and they brought food!  I was still in lots of pain, and it was very hard for me to take it easy.  Even after 5 days when my meds ran out, I called the Dr for more meds.  A week later, I was ready to drive again and get out of the house.  That first week home, my mom came to stay with me to help with Brynley and the baby.  She came on Tuesday-Thursday.  She was very helpful!

The first month with Olivia was pretty tough, since we also have a  20 month old toddler.  Jeff spent most of the first week or two on the couch so he could try to get a good night's sleep, since he had to work.  I also began taking Brynley to daycare that 3rd week, 2x a week, to give her some time with her friends, and so I can stay sane!  Jeff has been very helpful with Brynley, giving her lots more attention, since I'm more occupied with Olivia.... especially with nursing.  It's been tough on Brynley, since there is someone new who it taking up a lot of my attention.  She is a bit jealous, especially when I nurse and I can't give her my full attention.  B has tried to hit Olivia a few times out of frustration, and has hit me a few times too. We have been trying to teach B to be gentle with her sister, and I'm sure in no time, they'll be great friends!!
 With all of these sleepless nights, and exhausting days with two kids under two.....I wouldn't change any of it!  We love our girls!